Lead Technician

Bridgestone Americas; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onboarding program

Mentorship program

CSR activities

Global work environment

Work-life balance

Inclusive team

Job summary

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. in the Bridgestone West region is seeking a Laboratory Technician to perform routine automotive lab duties, including mounting and un-mounting tires, operating test equipment, and maintaining lab safety. The role requires a mechanical background, practical experience, and the ability to lead occasionally.

The company emphasizes training, mentorship, and a global, inclusive work environment; physical effort up to 70 lbs is noted. This on-site position in the U.S.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in a mechanically oriented program preferred.
• Typically 4–6 years of related experience.
• Mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills required.
• Familiarity with ISO requirements and lab safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Set up, configure, install, and maintain laboratory equipment used in tire testing.
• Mount and un-mount tires and conduct routine tests per procedures.
• Follow work instructions and checklists to operate equipment.
• Take measurements and perform routine tests according to standard procedures.
• Conduct safety program checks and preventive maintenance on lab equipment.
• Lead daily operations under supervision when needed.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate degree (mechanical)

Tools

Tire mounting machinery

Laboratory equipment

ISO standards knowledge

Job description

Full time

2026_21608

Company Overview

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM), headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and Bridgestone Europe, Middle East and Africa (BSEMEA), headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, operate collectively as a “Bridgestone West” strategic region. This region services the strategic business needs of teams across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. BSAM and BSEMEA are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Corporation, globally headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products and solutions to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

Job Category

Engineering & Science

Position Summary

The Laboratory Technician focuses on performing routine automotive related duties such as mounting and un-mounting tires in a laboratory operations to support the laboratory environment. A Lead Support position requires advanced knowledge of operational procedures and tools obtained through extensive work experience and may require vocational or technical education; works under limited supervision for non-routine situations and may be responsible for leading daily operations; and trains, delegates and reviews the work of lower level employees. Problems are typically difficult and non-routine but not complex. A mechanical background and/or automotive training and experience would be a plus!

Responsibilities

• Works on assignments requiring considerable judgment and initiative; understands implications of work and makes recommendations for solutions
• Determines methods and procedures on new assignments; may serve as informal team leader
• Sets up, configures, installs, and maintains laboratory equipment and tests. Typical equipment night included tire mounting machinery, and other specific automotive related types of machinery used in tire manufacturing and testing.
• Follows work instructions, procedures and checklists to operate equipment.
• Takes measurements and performs routine tests according to standard procedures
• Performs safety program checks and preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment.
• Works under limited supervision for non-routine situations and may be responsible for leading daily operations
• Trains, delegates and reviews the work of lower level employees.
• Other duties as assigned
• Required to lift up to 70lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Requires mechanical and problem solving aptitude and eventual broad understanding of tire test machines and test methods.
• Knowledge of ISO requirements (ISO 16949, ISO 17025, ISO 9001, etc.).
• Understanding of quality and safety standards.
• Microsoft office suite, email and web based navigation
• An Associates' degree in a mechanically oriented program is preferred

Minimum Qualifications

Typically requires a minimum of 4-6 years of related experience

At Bridgestone, you are Free to Be

We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they feel safe bringing their chosen version of themselves to work. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. So, show us what you are made of, because who you are is what we need.

What we offer

At Bridgestone, what really matters is to foster co-creation opportunities and empowering you to be creative and curious to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more sustainable for future generations. Whatever role you fill, when you represent Bridgestone, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality”, for that, we offer you more than just a competitive compensation; we will provide you:

• A supportive and engaging onboarding experience to ensure a smooth transition into our team.
• The opportunity to develop and grow, through training and regular mentorship.
• Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
• A truly global, dynamic and challenging work environment.
• Agility and work/life effectiveness and your long-term well-being.
• An effective and inclusive team.

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is our policy to consider all individuals for employment based on their unique merit and without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.

Based in Nashville Tennessee, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The Bridgestone Americas family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its global corporate social responsibility (CSR), commitment Our Way to Serve, Bridgestone embraces its responsibility as a global leader by striving to improve the way people move, live, work and play.